Garmin Vivoactive 4 is one of the most sold smartwatches of Garmin. Fitbit Versa 4 is budget-friendly lifestyle smartwatch.
Both smartwatches have a committed user base. We look at the features and differences between Vivoactive 4 and Versa 4 below.
Main differences
The main differences between Garmin Vivoactive 4 and Fitbit Versa 4 are shared in detail below:
- Vivoactive 4 was released in September 2019 and remains one of Garmin’s highest-selling smartwatches. Versa 4 is a relatively newer variant of Fitbit and was released in September 2022.
- Vivoactive 4 is pricier than Versa 4 by $150. Versa 4 costs $199.99 while the Vivoactive 4 costs $349.99.
- Fitbit Versa 4 has an AMOLED display and Vivoactive 4 uses MIP or Memory-in-pixel screen. The display performance of Versa 4 is better than that of Vivoactive 4.
- Versa 4 does not support music functionality. Vivoactive 4 offers full-fledged music features.
- Versa 4 does not support Galileo networks for GPS connectivity. Vivoactive 4 is compatible with the Galileo networks.
- Versa 4 only supports Bluetooth connectivity. Vivoactive 4 can do ANT+, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi connectivity.
- Versa 4 has an in-built speaker and microphone. You can make calls or answer calls directly from the watch. Vivoactive 4 lacks a speaker and microphone on the watch.
- Vivoactive 4 comes in two sizes. There is a Vivoactive 4S in 40 mm and Vivoactive 4 in 45 mm sizes. Versa 4 comes in a single-size variant of 40 mm.
- Vivoactive 4 has two tactile buttons on the right side of the smartwatch. These buttons manage the controls of the watch and menu options of the watch. Fitbit Versa 4 has a single side key on the left side of the watch.
Vivoactive 4 is a sturdy watch that is built to last for an extended period of time. In comparison, Versa 4 is a good watch that offers a little bit of everything in the watch.
We look at these differences and other features of the watch below.
Display specifications
Garmin Vivoactive 4 uses a 3rd generation Corning Gorilla Glass. This glass is one of the most commonly used glasses in the wearables industry. There is not much known about the Fitbit Versa 4 display lens.
However, Versa 4 supports AMOLED display. There are two distinct advantages of AMOLED display technology:
- It improved display resolution and the screen is brighter and more vibrant than the MIP screens.
- It allows the watch to support Always on display mode.
In terms of overall display clarity and brightness, the user experience on Versa 4 is definitely more lively than the experience you will get in using the Vivoactive 4.
A side by side comparison of the display specifications of Vivoactive 4 and Versa 4 are given below.
| Display specifications | Garmin Vivoactive 4 | Fitbit Versa 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Display lens | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | No information |
| Display shape | Round | Box or Square |
| Display type | MIP (Memory in pixel) | AMOLED |
| Display size | 1.3″ or 33 mm | 1.58″ or 40 mm |
| Display resolution | 260 x 260 pixels | 336 x 336 pixels |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Color display | Yes | Yes |
| Always-on-display | No | Yes |
| Ambient light sensor | No | Yes |
The display specifications of Versa 4 are better than that of Vivoactive 4. You get an AMOLED screen and an ambient light sensor. The display resolution and clarity in Versa 4 is higher than that of Vivoactive 4.
Physical specifications
Garmin Vivoactive 4 has a very premium feel to the watch on account of the metallic bezel. Vivoactive 4 is broader and thicker than Versa 4.
A detailed comparison of the hardware specifications of Vivoactive 4 and Versa 4 is shared below.
| Physical specifications | Garmin Vivoactive 4 | Fitbit Versa 4 |
|---|---|---|
| iOS compatible | iOS 15 and higher versions | iOS 15 and higher versions |
| Android compatible | Android 7 and higher versions | Android 9 and higher versions |
| Watch size | 45.1 x 45.1 x 12.8 mm | 40 x 41 x 11mm |
| Watch weight | 50.5 g | 40 g |
| Thickness | 12.8 mm | 11 mm |
| Band size | 22 mm | Small and Large bands |
| Band material | Silicone | Silicone |
| Watch body | Fiber-enforced polymer | Polymer |
| Bezel | Stainless steel | Aluminum |
| NFC or Contactless Payments | Garmin Pay | Fitbit Pay and Google Wallet |
| Water resistance | 5 ATM or 50 Meters | 5 ATM or 50 Meters |
| Device storage | 200 hours or 8 days of activity data | 7 days of activity data |
| Speaker | No | Yes |
| Microphone | No | Yes |
Versa 4 allows you to make or answer calls from the watch directly because of the availability of the speaker and mic in the watch.
The steel bezel of Vivoactive 4 does lend a premium appearance to the watch.
GPS
Fitbit Versa 4 supports GPS and GLONASS satellite networks for GPS connectivity.
Garmin Vivoactive 4 supports GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo networks.
The Galileo network is very useful for GPS connectivity in Europe. In fact, the Galileo satellite network is owned and managed by the European Space Agency.
You will notice a significantly better GPS performance in Vivoactive 4 in comparison with Versa 4. This is across the board with all the satellite systems including GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo.
For dependable and reliable GPS connectivity, Vivoactive 4 should be preferred over the Versa 4.
Sensors
Fitbit Versa 4 comes with a limited number of sensors in the watch. Vivoactive 4 has a richer set of sensors for varied functionality.
| Sensors | Garmin Vivoactive 4 | Fitbit Versa 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Accelerometer | Yes | Yes |
| Barometric altimeter | Yes | Yes |
| Compass | Yes | No |
| Gyroscope | Yes | No |
| Thermometer | Yes (tempe sensor needed for taking temperature readings) | No |
| Heart rate sensor | Garmin Elevate Sensor | Optical Heart Sensor |
| Blood Oxygenation sensor | Pulse Ox Sensor | Yes |
Vivoactive 4 includes sensors for the gyroscope, compass and thermometer. For taking temperature readings on Vivoactive 4 you will need to buy a tempe sensor separately. Versa 4 lacks these three sensors in the watch.
Wireless Connectivity
Fitbit Versa 4 supports Bluetooth connectivity only. It does not have Wi-Fi enabled in the smartwatch.
Garmin Vivoactive 4 can support ANT+, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless connectivity. You could connect over Wi-Fi networks easily.
The ANT+ connectivity is very useful in broadcasting heart rate data to ANT+ receiving devices. This sort of connectivity is practical for endurance sports and cycling.
Music
Fitbit Versa 4 does not support music. You will notice quite a few unhappy Versa 4 customers on Fitbit forums because of the missing music feature.
Vivoactive 4 can do full music functionality on the smartwatch. On a Vivoactive 4, you can get the following music functions:
- You can store audio content on the device
- You can manage the audio content on the watch directly from the interface of the watch.
- You can use Vivoactive 4 to control music on the paired smartphone
- You can use the ConnectIQ store to download streaming apps like Spotify on the smartphone paired with Vivoactive 4. With the music widget on the watch, you can stream Spotify music through your phone. You will need a premium subscription to the Spotify app to stream music.
| Music Features | Garmin Vivoactive 4 | Fitbit Versa 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Control music on the smartphone | Yes | No |
| Store music on the watch | Yes | No |
| Manage music on the watch from the watch interface | Yes | No |
| Use streaming apps like Spotify | Yes | No |
If you need music controls and features on the watch, go for Vivoactive 4. Versa 4 does not have music.
Health tracking
Vivoactive 4 and Versa 4 offer continuous heart rate monitoring.
In Fitbit Versa 4, there are some health tracking features (like blood glucose tracking) that are only available if you subscribe to the Fitbit Premium plan. Fitbit Premium costs $79.99 a year or $9.99 a month.
The only grip with Vivoactive 4’s health monitoring feature is the lack of a consolidated Health Snapshot or Dashboard.
| Health monitoring | Garmin Vivoactive 4 | Fitbit Versa 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Heart rate monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Resting Heart rate | Yes | Yes |
| Heart rate variability (HRV) | No | Yes |
| Breathing rate monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Blood Oxygenation monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Stress monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Stress score | Yes | Yes (in Fitbit Premium) |
| Health Dashboard | No | Yes (in Fitbit Premium) |
| Temperature readings | Yes (tempe sensor needed) | No |
| Blood Glucose Tracking | No | Yes (in Fitbit Premium) |
| Women Health | Yes | Yes |
| Body stress scores | Body Battery | Daily Readiness Score (in Fitbit Premium) |
Battery
Vivoactive 4 and Versa 4 offer comparable battery backups.
Versa 4 comes with 6 days of battery life that drains faster on GPS usage. Versa 4 does support fast charging and you can add a day’ worth of battery with a 12-minute charging.
Vivoctive 4 comes with 8 days of battery life in the smartwatch mode. In the GPS mode when the GPS is enabled and being used, the battery can last for up to 18 hours. On GPS with music, Vivoactive 4 can last for up to 6 days.
You will notice that the battery performance of Vivoactive 4 in the GPS mode is better than the battery performance of Versa 4 in the GPS mode.
Costs
Fitbit Versa 4 has a list price of $199.99 while the Vivoactive 4 has a list price of $349.99.
Final verdict
If you choose Vivoavctive 4, you will need to spend $150 more. For an additional spending of $150, you get the following benefits:
- Music functionality in the watch
- Support for Galileo GPS network
- More accurate and reliable GPS connectivity
- Gyroscope, Compass, and Thermometer sensors
- Incident detection feature in the watch
- ANT+ and Wi-Fi wireless connectivity in the watch
If you were to choose Fitbit Versa 4, you get the following benefits that are missing in Vivoactive 4:
- AMOLED display with support for Always-on-display
- In-built speaker and mic to make or answer calls directly from the watch.
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